When 13-year-old Adam Avin needs to center himself, he thinks of his late great-grandpa’s three key mantras: “Think well to be well,” “Smile and the world will smile with you” and “Smile and say thank you.”

This advice inspired Avin to create Wuf Shanti, a human-size dog character that teaches kids about yoga and meditation.

What started out as a couple of sketches and a self-published book about a canine yogi has evolved into a series of videos that appear on YouTube Kids and on the Children’s Television Network in children’s hospitals across the country and internationally such as Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami.PBS stations WPBT-Ch. 2 in Fort Lauderdale and Miami and WXEL-Ch. 42 in West Palm Beach also air Wuf Shanti spots. A free mobile app, Wuf Shanti’s Yoga Fun Machine, with the character’s video, music, and games can be downloaded from Apple or Android devices.

The Fort Lauderdale teen who started the Wuf Shanti character at the age of 11 used to dress up as the furry mascot to visit children in hospitals and for community events, but he’s literally outgrown the outfit.

“I am getting a little too tall,” said Avin, an eighth grader, during a break from his algebra homework on a recent Thursday afternoon. “I think the costume goes up to 5 feet 10, and I am 5 feet 10, so it’s getting a little tight.”

Now, his mother, Marni Becker-Avin, or a fellow yoga teacher, will don the costume for the videos or visits to children’s hospitals.

Avin said he created Wuf Shanti as a way to honor his great-grandfather Jack and to introduce kids to yoga. Avin began practicing yoga at 11 after watching his mother take classes.

“My grandpa didn’t do yoga, but he thought like a yogi,” Avin said. “So we wanted to incorporate both.”

“Yoga is very calming, and I think it’s important to teach kids the tools to deal with stress and emotions and I feel like yoga is the way that helps them with that,” added Avin, who enjoys doing the tree pose and the peaceful warrior pose. He and his mother are both certified to teach yoga for kids.

The Wuf Shanti character was modeled after the family’s brown boxer.

In all, Avin and his mom have produced 100 videos. Last year, Wuf Shanti caught the attention of Maroon 5 singer and fellow yoga follower Adam Levine, who gave the character a shout-out on social media.

“What a cool way to teach yoga to kids,” Levine wrote on his Facebook page.

Wuf Shanti spots began airing weekday mornings and afternoons on South Florida PBS stations. On WXEL, Wuf Shanti can generally be seen between 6:28 and 6:58 a.m. and 2:28 and 2:58 p.m weekdays. On WPBT, the schedule changes from week to week.

“We hope these spots will encourage kids to move around and be active, while also offering important lessons about mindfulness and positive thinking,” said Joyce Belloise, vice president of content and community partnerships for South Florida PBS. “We were impressed with the passion and vision that Marni Becker-Avin, and her son Adam, have for making a positive impact through their Wuf Shanti character.”

Like other South Florida kids, Avin juggles his schoolwork with time to hang out with friends. He said he loves to golf, play basketball and dote on his 4-year-old sister. “I adore her,” he said.

What would his late great-grandpa think of Wuf Shanti?

“I am beyond proud of Adam for creating this character and making a positive difference in the world, and I know his great-grandpa would be super proud of him, too,” his mother said.

“I think he would feel very amazed and happy and proud,” said Avin, “because positive thinking has helped with the healing process, and I think he would be very touched that we are trying to spread his message to all the kids around the world.”

Check out Wuf Shanti on YouTube Kids and Subscribe to the Wuf Shanti YouTube Channel for freewww.youtube.com/c/wufshanti. Let’s all help Adam make a positive difference in the world. It truly does start with the next generation.

Original article: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/fl-fea-wuf-shanti-fort-lauderdale-boy-20170922-story.html

Wuf Shanti is an adorable dog yoga character that travels the world sharing yoga, meditation, & mindfulness with kids through fun games & music. Shanti means peace. Wuf Shanti promotes health, wellness, & happiness in children, and encourages peace & positivity. Created by a kid for other kids, this character teaches yoga & meditation in a fun way for kids to learn a mindful yogic lifestyle.

Wuf Shanti videos are currently on the Children's TV Network in children's hospitals across the country & internationally, and on local PBS stations.

Videos can also be seen on the mindful mobile app, Wuf Shanti's Yoga Fun Machine, along with yogic-music and games. Common Sense Media named the app in "Best Health Apps and Games for Kids."

Our intentions for Wuf Shanti are to teach kids to live in peace & gratitude, spread kindness, let go of stress, & deal with emotions in better ways so they grow up to be less depressed & anxious teenagers & happier peace-loving adults, & to help kids learn to think positively every day because science tells us that yoga, meditation, & positive thinking can help the healing process.

Learn more or read the press at http://wufshanti.com/2017/07/learning-wuf-shanti/

The Thrive Global Community welcomes voices from many spheres. We publish pieces written by outside contributors with a wide range of opinions, which don’t necessarily reflect our own. Learn more or join us as a community member!

Share your comments below. Please read our commenting guidelines before posting. If you have a concern about a comment, report it here.

This Young Entrepreneur is Revolutionizing Mental Health Education in the US

“People look for retreats for themselves, in the country, by the coast, or in the hills . . . There is nowhere that a person can find a more peaceful and trouble-free retreat than in his own mind. . . . So constantly give yourself this retreat, and renew yourself.”